Gov Okpebholo Directs LG Council Chairmen To Submit Statements Of Account In Two Days, As ALGON Pledges Loyalty

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State Executive Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has directed the chairmen of the 18 local government councils in the state to submit their statements of account covering September 4, 2023 till date, to the Assets Verification Committee set up by the government within 48 hours.

The Governor, who said the financial statements should be submitted through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the government would not have the resources to go round the 18 local government councils.

Giving the directive when he received the council chairmen under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, (ALGON), at Government House, Governor Okpebholo, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, promised to work closely with the chairmen for a better state.

According to Idahosa, “I have listened to you keenly, the ALGON Chairman. The Governor is a leader of all of us. Election has come and gone and we are all one family. The Governor has asked me to assure you that we are one family.

“He has also asked me to tell you that we will work closely together. I guess you are aware that few weeks ago, the Assets Verification Committee was constituted.

“Mr. Governor is committed to transparency and accountability in this Government and that Committee would not have the resources to go across the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State.

“The Governor would want you to submit your statement of accounts from 4th of September 2023, to date, to the Assets Verification Committee within the next 48 hours (2 days), as that would help and enable the Committee do its job effectively and efficiently.

“The statement of accounts should be sent through the office of the Secretary to the State Government to Assets Verification Committee. The Governor thanks you for your time”.

Earlier, the state ALGON Chairman, and Chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government Counci, Newman Ugiagbe, who led the 18 local government chairmen on the courtesy visit, pledged their loyalty to Governor Monday Okpebholo and promised to collaborate with him to ensure that the administration succeeded.

Ugiagbe said, “We are here to congratulate the Governor and the Deputy on the mandate Edo people gave them, and here to pledge our loyalty to your administration.

“Our doors are open to your instructions, policies and programmes, as we are ready to bring your policies down to the grassroots to enable our people benefit from the dividends of democracy as we will work to ensure your administration succeeds.”